New Penang land reclamation project questioned

Civil rights activist Anil Netto asks if any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was done for new land reclamation exercise in front of Queensbay area.

(FMT) – Questions have been raised over a new land reclamation exercise in front of the Queensbay area, which is south of the second Penang bridge.

Blogger Anil Netto has asked if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out at the site, where according to a June 7 article in The Edge, a project called Queens Waterfront will be developed by Ideal Property Group.

In that article, the Penang-based developer’s executive chairman and CEO, Alex Ooi, explained that the freehold development project would sit on 36.53 acres, of which 24.79 acres would be reclaimed land.

The development will comprise a residential component, a marina, a waterfront promenade, sports centre and an international school.

Ooi was quoted as saying that the residential component would be on the part of the reclaimed land, and that land reclamation works had started, with piling works expected to start in early 2017.

Netto, who is a prominent civil rights activist in the state, noted that Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd owned a 20 per cent stake in SRS Consortium, which has come up with a “massive” RM46 billion proposal for the Penang Transport Master Plan.

In 2014, residents living near the Queensbay area held a protest against plans for land reclamation in the area, citing traffic woes and congestion, as well as the impact it would have on the environment.

Last year, Penang Gerakan called on all community groups and civic organisations not to compromise on the various proposed massive land reclamation projects in the Penang sea, until all detailed and independent impact reports were ready for public perusal.